Choose Your Own Concept of God: A Personal Journey of Faith

In the realm of spirituality and religion, the concept of some sort of god is the nucleus around which a belief system orbits. But the world is a diverse place where cultures collide and perspectives intersect, so the idea of God is often deeply personal.

Defining your concept of God is less like a linear process and more like a tapestry woven from your experiences and introspection as well as any religious and cultural influences in your life.

No Religious Affiliation? No Problem

More and more people have either no formal religious upbringing, or such a negative experience of it, that a concept of God has never entered the picture—at least, not one they can accept or relate to. This is the experience of many people in recovery from addiction: adverse childhood experiences or moralistic attitudes among religious people have created a revulsion to any formal concept of the divine.

Choosing your concept of God may seem revolutionary, even sacrilegious. After all, isn’t God beyond our comprehension? Doesn’t God transcend the limits of our understanding? This may be true, but humans experience an almost innate need to make sense of the world around us, including our understanding of the divine.

Choosing Freely

Many of us inherit a concept of God that’s passed down from one generation to the next and reinforced by the practices and doctrines of an organized religion. For others, it’s a journey of self-discovery and a quest to reconcile our own experiences with the larger, shared questions of existence. I grew up in a progressive branch of Protestant Christianity, but having the freedom to choose my own concept of God opened up a whole new world of spirituality for me, and most importantly, to a God I could relate to intimately.

This freedom is one of the most beautiful aspects of choosing your own concept of God. For me, it liberated my concept of God from the constraints of dogma and orthodoxy and allowed me to explore a variety of spiritual practices with an open mind and heart. In a way, I picked up where I’d left off with the journey that had begun when I started meditating at age twelve, and the study and formation I’d had in seminary. We live in a world with lots of sectarian strife, but this freedom not only benefits us personally often brings about understanding and acceptance that can heal religious wounds in our communities.

As Long as it’s not You

But how do you go about choosing your own concept of God? In recovery circles, the answer can be simple: “Your higher power can be anything you want it to be, as long as it’s not you.”

This answer opens a broad highway towards looking inward, reflecting, and exploring different practices, teachings, and traditions. Eventually, each of us needs to be willing to engage our beliefs critically. Your experiences will cause you to question, doubt, and seek answers beyond what feels familiar, comfortable, or established. And frankly, it also means being receptive to others’ experiences and beliefs, recognizing that our spirituality is deeply personal, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

Some people’s concept of God may be anthropomorphic, personified in the image of a benevolent being who watches over them from above. For others, God may be more abstract, a presence which permeates every aspect of the universe. You might find solace in organized religion, for example, while I may look for spiritual fulfillment in meditation, nature, or acts of compassion.

A “Yes” more than a “No”

The beauty of choosing your own concept of God lies in what it affirms rather than denies—in its “Yes,” more than its “No.” A religion may be bound by the walls of a church, mosque, or temple, but spirituality can transcend cultural and religious boundaries. Choosing your own concept of God invites your uniqueness, affirming a variety of human experiences and beliefs.

Allowing others their Freedom

Of course, with freedom comes responsibility. Choosing your own concept of God requires humility, respect, and a recognition of the sacredness of others’ beliefs. It’s not about asserting superiority or denigrating others’ beliefs, but fostering a culture of exploration, sharing, mutual respect, and understanding.

In a world fraught with division and discord, the notion of choosing your own concept of God offers a glimmer of hope. It reminds us that despite our differences, we are united by our shared humanity, our yearning for meaning and purpose in an often-chaotic world. It invites us to embark on a journey of self-discovery, to explore the depths of our souls, and to embrace the divine within and around us.

Ultimately, choosing your own concept of God is a deeply personal journey, as unique as the person who undertakes it. It is a journey marked by moments of doubt and certainty, questioning and revelation, but in the end a journey worth taking. It leads us not only to a deeper understanding of ourselves but also to a greater appreciation of the vast tapestry of human spirituality.

As a spiritual companion, I accompany people on this journey of exploration. Whether you’ve inherited a concept of God that no longer fits you, or were raised free of any sense of a divine being, I have no agenda but what spirit or the sacred is manifesting in your life right now.

Call me at 612-470-2688 or contact me here to schedule an initial appointment with me, virtually or in person, to explore the possibilities that lie within you.